Lions needs: You name it, 0-16 outfit could use it

Only one thing in Detroit is in worse shape than the economy, and that's the pro football team. The Detroit Lions are the Lehman Brothers of the NFL, so bad they should be out of business.

Jim Schwartz might find it difficult to keep that smile this fall. (Getty Images)

Fortunately, clubs aren't dissolved based on their fortunes, which means despite an 0-16 finish -- the first ever in the NFL -- the Lions are back for more punishment. Jim Schwartz, I feel your pain. The guy was going to get a head coaching job somewhere, but why did it have to be here? It will take years to dig out the Lions from a series of dreadful drafts and bad hires, and Schwartz better hope he has the time or owner William Clay Ford has the patience.

Most people figure Detroit for Matthew Stafford with the first pick, and I'll get in line there. The team must find a quarterback sometime, and sooner is better than later. Yes, Aaron Curry is the best player in this draft, but the Lions don't need the best player as much as they need the best quarterback, and Stafford is that man.

Of course, they need virtually everything else, too. An offensive lineman. Maybe two. How about three? A tight end. A defensive lineman. No, two. Linebackers. Safeties. Another wide receiver. Remember, this team not only hasn't had a winning season since 2000; it was the league's worst-ranked defense in each of the past two years.

Hey, how come nobody from the Lions has bothered to ask Roger Goodell for a bailout? Instead of getting relief from the league, the Lions draw another pummeling for Thanksgiving, this time compliments of the Green Bay Packers. Life is not fair. The Lions will be better this year, which is good. But here's why it's not all that good: They can't get worse. Look for another fourth-place finish in a division that is unsettled except for the ground floor.

QB: Daunte Culpepper is the starter here, which is why the Lions should be in the market for another quarterback. Culpepper is no more than a way station to the next young quarterback, and maybe he arrives this month. Lions fans can only hope. Jon Kitna was OK while he was around, but he was supposed to keep the position warm until the next young passer came along ... only he hasn't. The Lions need a complete makeover at this position. They drafted Drew Stanton hoping he might be the answer, but he's not.

RB: Look for Kevin Smith to become a legitimate star in the near future. Smith had a terrific rookie year, all things considered, and what I consider is the club he played for -- one that couldn't win a game. He averaged 4.1 yards a carry, scored eight times and improved as the season wore on. He was also the team's second-leading pass receiver. I expect him to run for 1,100 yards and score at least 10 times. Of course, it would be nice if he had someone to give him a breather, one reason the Lions went out and signed Maurice Morris away from Seattle. Still, they could use more help at the position.

WR: Once, Calvin Johnson was one of many talented wide receivers, some of whom were top 10 draft picks. Now he's the last one standing, the only legit talent at a position where the Lions were loaded. Johnson is one of the game's best, and last year proved it. He led the team in touchdowns with 12, had 1,331 yards in catches and averaged 17.1 yards per reception. That will cut it on any team. Depth is an issue, though the Lions signed Bryant Johnson in the offseason. Johnson caught twice as many passes as the Lions' next-best receiver, and that guy was a running back. That should tell you how important it is for someone, anyone, to bail out Calvin Johnson.

TE: Another position of need. Dan Campbell would have been the starter last year if he weren't hurt, but his absence opened the door for Michael Gaines, and he struggled. Casey FitzSimmons is a good special teams player. John Owens is gone, with former Seahawks tight end Will Heller taking his place. Maybe he helps. Maybe he doesn't. All I know is the Lions must get better at this position.

OL: Detroit's QBs were sacked 52 times, and it's time to face facts: Its offensive line is almost as insolvent as its automobile companies. If Ford has a better idea, how come nobody put it to use with the Lions' offensive line? I never bought into Jeff Backus as a top-shelf tackle, and now there's talk about moving him to guard. Good. One problem: That means there's a hole at offensive tackle ... unless, of course, the Lions use their first or second pick on that position. There were eight different starting combinations up front last year, because of injuries and incompetence, and you don't win making that many changes. Dominic Raiola is fine at center, but their guards were weak. The jury is out on Gosder Cherilus at right tackle.

DL: Grady Jackson is the big addition, with the emphasis on big. I might like this move if Jackson weren't 36, but, hey, the Lions can't be any worse against the run. I'm not sure what a team this bad is doing adding a guy in his 13th season, other than it's an indictment of how bad the Lions are up front. I know people were down on Cory Redding as a DT, but tell me whom you'd rather have, Redding or Jackson? At least Redding could play inside or out. DeWayne White is the best of the defensive ends, but he should line up on the left side. There are a lot of young players in here, but none made an impact in 2008.

LB: Once I thought Ernie Sims was going to be one of the game's next stars, but after last year I'm not as certain. He didn't play well, but let's be honest: He had company. The Lions' linebackers had one interception and four sacks, and that will change under Schwartz. Detroit needs a playmaker, and it might have gotten one in Julian Peterson, acquired from Seattle, and the move might work. Not only is he a solid strong-side 'backer who can rush the passer, he starred at Michigan State. Now let's see the Lions get some help in the middle.

CB: There are three new cornerbacks in town, with Phillip Buchanon the best of the group. The Lions pried him away from Tampa Bay. They acquired Anthony Henry from Dallas, too, but he couldn't run last season and was targeted by opponents. Eric King, late of Tennessee, is the third newcomer. Together, the three had three interceptions last year, which isn't much except it's one short of Detroit's total last season. That's right, the Lions made interceptions like GM makes money, which is to say not often. Worse, only one of them was by a defensive back. Cornerbacks, safeties, you name it. The Lions can dial 911.